Light emitting device modules

ABSTRACT

An LED module may include at least one LED and an indicator. The indicator may include one or more diffusing surfaces defining an angular diffusing groove. The diffusing groove may receive the LED such that the LED is at least partially located within a volume space defined by the one or more diffusing surfaces. The diffusing groove may diffuse a light emitted from the LED and incident on the one or more diffusing surface of the diffusing groove such that the light is diffused into an interior of the indicator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/878,925, filed May 20, 2020, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0152239, filed on Nov. 25, 2019in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contents of eachof which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Some example embodiments relate to light emitting device (LED) modules.More particularly, some example embodiments relate to LED modules usedto (e.g., included in) a portable solid state drive (SSD) module.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, a portable solid state drive (SSD) module may include a case,an SSD arranged in the case, and a light emitting device (LED) moduleconfigured to emit light to represent (e.g., indicate) an operation ofthe SSD.

According to related arts, it may be required to readily and firmlycombine the LED module with the case.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments provide a light emitting device (LED) modulethat may be capable of more uniformly diffusing a light from an LED, forexample diffusing said light toward a corner of an indicator of the LEDmodule to cause the indicator to have improved uniformity of brightnessdue to the emitted light.

According to some example embodiments, a light emitting device (LED)module may include at least one LED and an indicator including one ormore diffusing surfaces defining a diffusing groove. The diffusinggroove may be configured to receive the LED such that the LED is atleast partially located within a volume space defined by the one or morediffusing surfaces. The diffusing groove may be configured to diffuse alight emitted from the LED and incident on the one or more diffusingsurfaces of the diffusing groove such that the light is diffused into aninterior of the indicator.

According to some example embodiments, a light emitting device (LED)module may include at least one LED, an indicating plate, and anindicating channel. The indicating plate may include one or morediffusing surfaces defining a diffusing groove. The diffusing groove maybe configured to receive the LED such that the LED is at least partiallylocated within a volume space defined by the one or more diffusingsurfaces. The diffusing groove may be configured to diffuse a lightemitted from the LED and incident on the one or more diffusing surfaceof the diffusing groove such that the light is diffused into an interiorof the indicating plate. The indicating channel may be located at acentral portion of the indicating plate. The indicating channel may beconfigured to emit the light emitted from the LED and diffused into theinterior of the indicating plate.

According to some example embodiments, a light emitting device (LED)module may include four LEDs, an indicating plate, and an indicatingchannel. The indicating plate may have a rectangular frame shapeincluding one or more inner surfaces that define a central opening. Theindicating plate may include four diffusing grooves, each diffusinggroove defined by a separate set of one or more diffusing surfaces. Eachdiffusing groove may have an isosceles triangular shape formed at acentral portion of separate, respective outer surfaces of the indicatingplate, and each of the diffusing grooves may be configured to receive aseparate LED such that the separate LED is at least partially locatedwithin a volume space defined by the one or more diffusing surfaces ofthe diffusing groove, such that each diffusing groove is configured todiffuse lights emitted from the separate LED received into therespective diffusing groove and incident on the one or more diffusingsurfaces of the respective diffusing groove such that the light isdiffused into an interior of the indicating plate. The indicatingchannel may be on the one or more inner surfaces of the indicatingplate. The indicating channel may be configured to emit the lightemitted from the four LEDs and diffused into the interior of theindicating plate.

According to some example embodiments, the indicator of the LED modulemay have the triangular diffusing groove so that the light from the LEDmay uniformly diffuse toward the whole indicator through the diffusinggroove. Particularly, the light may diffuse toward a corner of theindicator. As a result, the indicator may have uniform brightness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 31 represent non-limiting, exampleembodiments as described herein.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a main bracket ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an LED module supported by themain bracket in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a rib of the mainbracket in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a main bracket of a portableSSD module in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating main brackets of aportable SSD module in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a front internal structureof the SSD module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an LED module ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the LED module in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are plan views illustrating an angle range of adiffusing groove of the LED module in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an LED module in accordance withsome example embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an LED module in accordance withsome example embodiments;

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are perspective views illustratingprocesses for combining the portable SSD module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 21;

FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are perspective views illustratingprocesses for combining the portable SSD module in FIG. 21;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portable SSD module inaccordance with some example embodiments; and

FIG. 31 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion “A”in FIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some example embodiments will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments, and FIG. 2 is across-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the portableSSD module in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating afront internal structure of the SSD module in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable SSD module 100 of some exampleembodiments may include a case 110, an SSD 120, a fingerprint sensor140, an LED module 150, a main bracket 160 and a front bracket 180.

The case 110 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an emptyinternal space and a shallow height. Thus, the case 110 may have anopened front surface 111, an opened rear surface 112, two side surfaces115, an upper surface 113 and a lower surface 114. The side surfaces 115may have a height less than a width and a length of the upper surface113. The side surfaces 115 may have a rounded shape toward an outside ofthe case 110. Alternatively, the side surfaces 115 may have a verticalplanar shape. Particularly, the side surfaces 115 may be integrallyformed with the upper surface 113 and the lower surface 114 so that thecase 110 may have one body. The case 110 may be formed by an extrusionprocess.

The case 110 may include a window 116. The window 116 may be formedthrough the upper surface 113 of the case 110. The LED module 150 andthe fingerprint sensor 140 may be exposed through the window 116. Insome example embodiments, the window 116 may be arranged within a regionhaving a length of about 10% to about 90% of a length of the uppersurface 113 of the case 110. That is, a position of the window 116 maynot be restricted within a specific region of the upper surface 113 ofthe case 110.

The SSD 120 may be arranged in the case 110. The SSD 120 may be attachedto the lower surface 114 of the case 110. In order to reduce a transferof an external impact to the SSD 120 through the case 110, a cushion 126may be interposed between the SSD 120 and the lower surface 114 of thecase 110.

The SSD 120 may include a first connector 122 and a second connector124. The SSD 120 may be electrically connected with an external devicethrough the first connector 122. The first connector 122 may include aUSB connector. The SSD 120 may be electrically connected with the LEDmodule 150 and the fingerprint sensor 140 through the second connector124. In some example embodiments, the first connector 122 may beinstalled at a central portion of front end of an upper surface of theSSD 120 adjacent to the front surface 111 of the case 110. The secondconnector 124 may be installed at a side of the first connector 122.

The LED module 150 may be arranged in the case 110. The LED module 150may be configured to indicate operations of the SSD 120. That is, whenthe SSD 120 may be operated, the LED module 150 may generate (e.g.,emit) a light that indicates operations of the SSD 120. The LED module150 may be attached to an inner portion of the upper surface 113 of thecase 110 configured to surround the window 116 using an adhesive 134.

The LED module 150 may be attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) 130using the adhesive 134. The PCB 130 may include a third connector 138connected with the PCB 130 via a flexible cable 132. The third connector138 may be connected to the second connector 124 of the SSD 120. Acushion 136 may be interposed between the PCB 130 and the upper surface113 of the case 110.

The fingerprint sensor 140 may be mounted on the PCB 130. Thefingerprint sensor 140 may be combined with the LED module 150. Thefingerprint sensor 140 may be received in a central portion of the LEDmodule 150. The fingerprint sensor 140 may be configured to recognize afingerprint of a user so as to a security of the SSD 120.

The main bracket 160 may be arranged in the case 110 to support the LEDmodule 150 and the fingerprint sensor 140. In some example embodiments,the main bracket 160 may be configured to upwardly support a lowersurface of the PCB 130 with the LED module 150 and the fingerprintsensor 140. The main bracket 160 may enter into the case 110 through theopened rear surface 112 of the case 110 in a first direction. That is,the first direction may correspond to an entering direction of the mainbracket 160 into the case 110. Particularly, the main bracket 160 may beinserted into the case 110 with the main bracket 160 being slidablycontacted with the lower surface of the PCB 130. A sheet 166 may beattached to a rear surface of the main bracket 160.

A thermal pad 168 may be interposed between the main bracket 160 and theSSD 120. The thermal pad 168 may be configured to transfer a heatgenerated from the SSD 120 to the case 110 through the main bracket 160.Thus, the thermal pad 168 may be configured to make contact with thelower surface of the main bracket 160 and the upper surface of the SSD120.

The front bracket 180 may be arranged in the case 110 to support thesecond connector 124 and the third connector 138. As shown in FIG. 9,the front bracket 180 may downwardly compress an upper surface of thethird connector 138. The front bracket 180 may be inserted into the case110 through the opened front surface 111 of the case 110 in a seconddirection. That is, the second direction may be opposite to the firstdirection. The second direction may correspond to an entering directionof the front bracket 180 into the case 110. A cushion 182 may beinterposed between the front bracket 180 and the upper surface of thethird connector 138. A sheet 184 may be attached to a front surface ofthe front bracket 180.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a main bracket ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective viewillustrating an LED module supported by the main bracket in FIG. 3, andFIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a rib of the mainbracket in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the main bracket 160 may include a bodyportion 162, a pair of horizontal supporting portion 164 and a verticalsupporting portion 170.

The body portion 162 may have a rectangular plate shape. The bodyportion 162 may be arranged between the case 110 and the SSD 120,particularly, the upper surface 113 of the case 110 and the thermal pad168. The body portion 162 may have an upper surface higher than thelower surface of the LED module 150, particularly, the lower surface ofthe PCB 130.

The horizontal supporting portions 164 may be extended from both sideportions of a front surface of the body portion 162 in the firstdirection. The vertical supporting portion 170 may be arranged betweenthe horizontal supporting portions 164. That is, the vertical supportingportion 170 may be extended from a central portion of the front surfaceof the body portion 162 in the first direction. A length of the verticalsupporting portion 170 in the first direction may be shorter than alength of the horizontal supporting portions 164 in the first direction.Thus, a space defined by inner surfaces of the vertical supportingportion 170 and the horizontal supporting portions 164 may be formed.The first connector 122 and the second connector 124 of the SSD 120 maybe upwardly exposed through the space. That is, front surfaces of thehorizontal supporting portions 164 and the vertical supporting portion170 may be positioned between the first connector 122 and a bridge IC ofthe SSD 120.

The vertical supporting portion 170 may have an upper surface lower thanupper surfaces of the body portion 162 and the horizontal supportingportions 164. Thus, an upper portion of the front surface of the bodyportion 162 and upper portions of the inner surfaces of the horizontalsupporting portions 164 may be exposed to form a receiving groove 178defined by the upper portion of the front surface of the body portion162, the upper portions of the inner surfaces of the horizontalsupporting portions 164 and the upper surface of the vertical supportingportion 170. The PCB 130 with the LED module 150 and the fingerprintsensor 140 may be received in the receiving groove 178. That is, thevertical supporting portion 170 may have a height less than a height ofthe body portion 162 due to the receiving groove 178 so that thevertical supporting portion 170 may be configured to support the PCB 130with the fingerprint sensor 140.

In some example embodiments, a sum of the height of the verticalsupporting portion 170 and the height of the fingerprint sensor 140 maybe greater than the height of the body portion 162. Further, the sum ofthe height of the vertical supporting portion 170 and the height of thefingerprint sensor 140 may be about 90% to about 110% of a height fromthe PCB 130 to the upper surface 113 of the case 110.

Therefore, the inner surfaces of the horizontal supporting portions 164may be configured to support both side surfaces of the PCB 130 in thereceiving groove 178. The vertical supporting portion 170 may beconfigured to support the lower surface of the PCB 130. Further, asmentioned above, because the upper surface of the body portion 162 maybe higher than the lower surface of the PCB 130, the exposed upperportion of the front surface of the body portion 162 may be configuredto support the rear surface of the PCB 130.

The vertical supporting portion 170 may include a central supportingportion 172 and a pair of edge supporting portions 174. The centralsupporting portion 172 may be arranged at a central portion of thereceiving groove 178 to support a central portion of the lower surfaceof the LED module, particularly, a central portion of the lower surfaceof the PCB 130. The edge supporting portions 174 may be arranged in bothedge portions of the receiving groove 178 at both sides of the centralsupporting portion 172 to support edge portions of the lower surface ofthe PCB 130. Thus, a space may be formed between the central supportingportion 172 and the edge supporting portions 174. Electronic components,which may be mounted on the lower surface of the PCB 130 to control theLED module 150 and the fingerprint sensor 140, may be received in thespace.

Ribs 176 may be formed on upper surfaces of the central supportingportion 172 and the edge supporting portions 174 in the first direction.Each of the ribs 176 may include a first slant surface 176 a. The firstslant surface 176 a may be downwardly slantly formed on a front end ofthe rib 176 in the first direction. When the main bracket 160 may beinserted through the opened rear surface 112 of the case 110 in thefirst direction, the front end of the rib 176 may firstly make contactwith the rear surface of the PCB 130. Because the first slant surface176 a may be formed on the front end of the rib 176, the lower surfaceof the PCB 130 may slidably make contact with the first slant surface176 a. Thus, an interference may not be generated between the mainbracket 160 and the LED module 150, particularly, the main bracket 160and the PCB 130. As a result, the main bracket 160 may be readilycombined with the case 110.

Additionally, each of the ribs 176 may further include a second slantsurface 176 b. The second slant surface 176 b may be downwardly slantlyformed on a rear end of the rib 176 in the second direction.

Further, slant surfaces 172 a and 174 a may be formed at the frontportions of the upper surfaces of the central supporting portions 172and the edge supporting portions 174. The slant surfaces 172 a and 174 amay be downwardly slantly formed along the first direction. Thus,because the slant surfaces 172 a and 174 a may function as to removeangular structures of the upper ends of the front surfaces of thecentral supporting portion 172 and the edge supporting portions 174, theupper ends of the front surfaces of the central supporting portion 172and the edge supporting portions 174 may not collide against the PCB130.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a main bracket of a portableSSD module in accordance with some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6, a main bracket 160 a of some example embodimentsmay not include a rib. The vertical supporting portion 170 of the mainbracket 160 a may have a slant upper surface in place of the rib. Thatis, the central supporting portion 172 and the edge supporting portions174 of the vertical supporting portion 170 may include slant uppersurfaces 172 a and 174 a. Because the slant upper surfaces 172 a and 174a may have a structure and a function substantially the same as those ofthe rib 176, the structure and the function of the slant upper surfaces172 a and 174 a may be omitted herein for brevity.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating main brackets of aportable SSD module in accordance with some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, an opening 179 may be formed through the centralsupporting portion 172. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 8, an opening179 a having an opened front surface may be formed through the centralsupporting portion 172. The electronic components on the lower surfaceof the PCB 130 or the SSD 120 may be received in the openings 179 or 179a.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an LED module ofthe portable SSD module in FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a plan viewillustrating the LED module in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the LED module 150 may include at leastone LED 158 and an indicator 153. FIGS. 10-11 illustrate an LED module150 including four LEDs 158, but it will be understood that in someexample embodiments an LED module 150 may include a single, individualLED 158 instead of multiple LEDs 158. In some example embodiments theLED module 150 may include two or more LEDs 158. In some exampleembodiments, an LED as described herein (e.g., any or all of LEDs 158 asdescribed herein) may be a Light-Emitting Diode under the well-knownmeaning of the term and may include any or all well-known elements ofLight-Emitting Diodes, such that an LED module that includes at leastone Light-Emitting Diode LED 158 may be understood to be aLight-Emitting Diode Module under the well-known meaning of the term andmay include any or all well-known elements of Light-Emitting DiodeModules. It will be understood that an LED 158 as described herein mayinclude a light-emitting device that is different from a Light-EmittingDiode, for example LED 158 may be any well-known device configured toemit light based on an electric current being passed through any portionthereof (e.g., due to electroluminescence), for example a laser diode.The indicator 153 may include an indicating plate 152 and an indicatingchannel 154 arranged at a central portion of the indicating plate 152.

In some example embodiments, the indicating plate 152 may have arectangular shape, particularly, a square shape. The indicating plate152 may have rounded corners. However, the indicating plate 152 may haveother shapes such as a circular shape, a triangular shape, a pentagonalshape, etc., in place of the square shape. The indicating plate 152 mayhave an opening 156, which may be defined by one or more inner surfaces152 is of the indicating plate 152. The fingerprint sensor 140 may bereceived in the opening 156. Because the fingerprint sensor 140 may havethe square shape, the opening 156 may also have a square shape. Thus,the shape of the opening 156 may be changed in accordance with the shapeof the fingerprint sensor 140.

The indicating plate 152 may have (e.g., may include) at least onediffusing groove 190, where one or more outer surfaces of the indicatingplate 152 facing a given LED 158, shown in FIGS. 10-11 as diffusingsurfaces 192 and 194, define the diffusing groove 190. The LED 158 maybe received in (e.g., located in) the diffusing groove 190, such thatthe LED 158 is partially or entirely located within a volume space 190Vthat is at least partially defined by the diffusing surfaces 192 and194. The volume space 190V may be further defined by one or more outersurfaces 152 os of the indicating plate 152 as shown in FIGS. 10-11, andeach LED 158 may be partially or entirely within separate, respectivevolume spaces 190V as shown, but example embodiments are not limitedthereto and the LED 158 may, in some example embodiments, be located ina volume space 190V that is at least partially defined by diffusingsurfaces 192 and 194 and extends beyond a boundary defined by the one ormore outer surfaces 152 os. A light emitted from the LED 158 may diffuseinto an interior of the indicator 153 (e.g., the interior of theindicating plate 152) through the diffusing groove 190. Restated, thediffusing groove 190 may be configured to diffuse a light beam (e.g., alight) emitted from the LED 158 towards the diffusing groove 190. Thediffusing groove 190 may have an angular shape including at least twodiffusing surfaces 192 and 194 configured to diffuse the light. It willbe understood that diffusing light includes scattering or diffusing alight beam received at a surface of ab object to propagate in multipledirections simultaneously upon passing through the surface into theinterior of the object, where such diffusion may be based on the anglerange of the surface and/or the material composition of the object. Forexample, as further described below, the diffusing groove 190 may beconfigured, based on the angle range of the diffusing groove 190, forexample based on the angle of the one or more diffusing surfaces 192 and194 in relation to the orientation of the LED 158 located in the volumespace 190V defined by said one or more diffusing surfaces 192 and 194,to receive an incident light beam 158 x emitted by the LED 158 andincident on the one or more diffusing surfaces 192 and 194 and cause theincident light beam 158 x to be scattered 158 y by the one or morediffusing surfaces 192 and 194 into the interior of the indicator 153(e.g., the interior of the indicating plate 152) as shown. Accordingly,it will be understood that a diffusing surface of a diffusing groove 190as described herein may be configured to diffuse light emitting by anLED 158 received in said diffusing groove 190 based on the angle of thediffusing surface in relation to the orientation of the LED 158 in thediffusing groove 190. It will be understood that in some exampleembodiments the diffusing groove 190 may be defined by a singlediffusing surface that is at least partially curved (e.g., diffusingsurfaces 192 and 194 may be part of a singular, continuous surface thatcurves at vertex 191.

In some example embodiments, a diffusing groove 190 is formed at anouter surface 152 os of the indicating plate 152 such that the one ormore diffusing surfaces of the diffusing groove 190 define at least aportion of an outer boundary of the indicating plate 152. In someexample embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in FIGS.10-11, the diffusing groove 190 may include four diffusing grooves 190formed at four outer surfaces 152 os of the indicating plate 152,respectively, such that the diffusing surfaces 192 and 194 of thediffusing grooves 190 are portions of the respective outer surfaces 152os of the indicating plate 152. Thus, the four LEDs 158 may be arrangedin the four diffusing grooves 190, respectively. However, the diffusinggroove 190 may be formed at any one, two surfaces or three surfaces ofthe four outer surfaces 152 os of the indicating plate 152.

The indicating channel 154 may be arranged along one or more innersurfaces 152 is of the indicating plate 152 that defines the opening156, where the inner surface(s) 152 is may also be referred to as innersurface(s) of the opening 156. As shown, the indicating channel 154 maybe arranged at a central portion of the indicating plate 152, forexample such that a center 152-C of the indicating plate 152 is locatedwithin the opening 156 and/or is at a same location as a center of theindicating channel 154, but example embodiments are not limited thereto,and in some example embodiments the center of the indicating channel 154and the center 152-C of the indicating plate 152 may be horizontallyoffset from each other. Because the opening 156 may have the squareshape, the indicating channel 154 may have a square frame shape. Thus,the indicating channel 154 may have an inner corner 154 a and an outercorner 154 b. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the indicating channel 154 mayhave a rectangular frame shape having four inner corners 154 a and fourouter corners 154 b, but example embodiments are not limited thereto.

The indicating channel 154 may have an upper surface 154 us higher thanan upper surface 152 us of the indicating plate 152. The indicatingplate 152 may be configured to make contact with the upper surface 113of the case 110 so that only the indicating channel 154 may be exposedthrough the window 116. The indicating channel 154 may have an outersurface 154 os configured to make contact with the inner surface of thewindow 116. Thus, the user may recognize only the light diffused throughthe indicating channel 154. Therefore, the diffusing groove 190 may beprovided with a structure for uniformly diffusing the light into theindicating channel 154. Particularly, the diffusing groove 190 may beprovided with a structure for more diffusing the light into the innercorner 154 a and the outer corner 154 b of the indicating channel 154.

In some example embodiments, the diffusing groove 190 may be positionedon a center line C crossing a central portion of the indicating plate152 (e.g., a center 152-C of the indicating plate 152). That is, asshown in at least FIGS. 12-13, the diffusing groove 190 may be formed ata central portion 152 os-C of an outer surface 152 os of the indicatingplate 152. Further, the diffusing groove 190 may have an isoscelestriangular shape that is at least partially defined by two diffusingsurfaces that have the same length or substantially the same length.Thus, the diffusing groove 190 may include the two diffusing surfaces192 and 194 having a same length or substantially same length. Thediffusing groove 190 may have a vertex 191 positioned on the center lineC of the indicating plate 152 so that a distance between the diffusingsurface 192 and a left corner of the indicating channel 154 may besubstantially the same as a distance between the diffusing surface 194and a right corner of the indicating channel 154. The diffusing surfaces192 and 194 may be configured to diffuse the light toward the bothcorners of the indicating channel 154. Thus, the light may be uniformlydistributed in the indicating channel 154. Accordingly, the indicatingchannel 154 may be configured to emit the light emitted from the LED 158and diffused into the interior of the indicator 153 (e.g., the interiorof the indicating plate 152) to an exterior of the LED module 150 (e.g.,in a direction that is normal to the upper surface 154 us of theindicating channel 154.

In some example embodiments, the indicating channel 154 and/or theindicating plate 152 having one or more diffusing grooves 190 may beomitted from the indicator 153.

It will be understood that lengths, distances, or the like describedherein as being the “substantially” the same encompasses lengths,distances, or the like that are the same within manufacturing tolerancesand/or material tolerances and/or lengths, distances, or the like thathave a relative difference in magnitude that is equal to or less than10%.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are plan views illustrating an angle range of adiffusing groove of the LED module in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the light vertically passing through thecentral portion of the diffusing surface 192 of the diffusing groove 190(e.g., pass through a central portion of the diffusing groove 190) mayreach to the inner corner 154 a of the indicating channel 154 and thusmay be incident to the inner corner 154 a, a first angle between thediffusing groove 190 and the outer surface of the indicating plate 152may be el. Restated, the first angle θ1 may be defined by incident light(e.g., as 158 x) that is incident on, and passes through, the centralportion of the diffusing groove 190 (e.g., a central portion ofdiffusing surface 192 as shown) and is incident (e.g., at least aportion of 158 y) to any one of the inner corners 154 a. When the firstangle may be below the el, the light vertically passing through thecentral portion of the diffusing surface 192 may be incident to theopening 156 through the inner corner 154 a.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the light vertically passing through thecentral portion of the diffusing surface 192 of the diffusing groove 190(e.g., pass through a central portion of the diffusing groove 190) mayreach to the outer corner 154 b of the indicating channel 154 and thusmay be incident to the outer corner 154 b, a second angle between thediffusing groove 190 and the outer surface of the indicating plate 152may be AZ Restated, the second angle θ2 may be defined by incident light(e.g., as 158 x) that is incident on, and passes through, the centralportion of the diffusing groove 190 190 (e.g., a central portion ofdiffusing surface 192 as shown) and is incident (e.g., at least aportion of 158 y) to any one of the outer corners 154 b. When the secondangle may be above the 02, the light vertically passing through thecentral portion of the diffusing surface 192 may be incident into theindicating plate 152 through the outer corner 154 b.

Therefore, in some example embodiments, including example embodimentswherein the indicating channel 154 includes a rectangular frame shapehaving four inner corners 154 a and four outer corners 154 b, an slantangle of the diffusing groove 190 with respect to the outer surface 152os of the indicating plate 152 may have a range between the first angleθ1 for allowing the light, which may vertically pass through the centralportion of the diffusing groove 190, to be incident to the inner corner154 a of the indicating channel 154 and the second angle θ2 for allowingthe light to be incident to the outer corner 154 b of the indicatingchannel 154. Restated, the slant angle of the diffusion groove withrespect to the outer surface 152 os of the indicating plate may have arange between the first angle θ1 as defined herein and the second angleθ2 as defined herein.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an LED module in accordance withsome example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 14, an LED module 150 a of some example embodimentsmay include a diffusing groove 190 a. The diffusing groove 190 a mayinclude a first diffusing surface 192 a and a second diffusing surface194 a having different lengths. The diffusing groove 190 a may be formedat a portion of the outer surface of the indication plate 152 offsetfrom the center line C crossing the central portion (e.g., the center152-C) of the indication plate 152, for example such that the diffusinggroove 190 does not intersect with the center line C at all and/or thatvertex 191 is not on the center line C. Accordingly, as shown in FIG.14, the diffusing groove 190 may be located at a position that is offsetfrom a center line C that extends normal to the outer surface 152 os andintersects the center 152-C of the indicating plate 152. Thus, adistance between the first diffusing surface 192 a and the corner of theindicating channel 154 adjacent to the first diffusing surface 192 a maybe different from a distance between the second diffusing surface 194 aand the corner of the indicating channel 154 adjacent to the seconddiffusing surface 194 a.

In some example embodiments, the diffusing groove 190 a may be arrangedat a left portion of the center line C. Thus, the distance between thefirst diffusing surface 192 a and the corner of the indicating channel154 may be shorter than the distance between the second diffusingsurface 194 a and the corner of the indicating channel 154. In order toinduce the light, which may vertically pass through central portions ofthe first diffusing surface 192 a and the second diffusing surface 194a, to the adjacent corners of the indicating channel 154, a first slantangle θ1 of the first diffusing surface 192 a with respect to the outersurface of the indicating plate 152 may be less than a second slantangle θ2 of the second diffusing surface 194 a with respect to the outersurface of the indicating plate 152. That is, the length of the firstdiffusing surface 192 a may be longer than the length of the seconddiffusing surface 194 a.

Alternatively, in contrast, the diffusing groove 190 a may be arrangedat a right portion of the center line C. Thus, a distance between thefirst diffusing surface 192 a and the corner of the indicating channel154 may be longer than a distance between the second diffusing surface194 a and the corner of the indicating channel 154. In order to inducethe light, which may vertically pass through central portions of thefirst diffusing surface 192 a and the second diffusing surface 194 a, tothe adjacent corners of the indicating channel 154, a first slant angleθ1 of the first diffusing surface 192 a with respect to the outersurface of the indicating plate 152 may be greater than a second slantangle θ2 of the second diffusing surface 194 a with respect to the outersurface of the indicating plate 152. That is, the length of the firstdiffusing surface 192 a may be shorter than the length of the seconddiffusing surface 194 a.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an LED module in accordance withsome example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 15, an LED module 150 b of some example embodimentsmay include a diffusing groove 190 b. The diffusing groove 190 b mayhave an isosceles trapezoidal shape, defined by at least three diffusingsurfaces 192 b, 194 b, 196 b. The diffusing groove 190 b may bepositioned on the center line C crossing the central portion of theindicating plate 152.

Therefore, the diffusing groove 190 b may include two first diffusingsurfaces 192 b and 194 b having a same length or substantially a samelength, and a second diffusing surface 196 b connected between ends 195b (e.g., proximate edges) of the first diffusing surfaces 192 b and 194b. The light may vertically pass through central portions of the firstdiffusing surfaces 192 b and 194 b. The light may then be incident tothe both corners of the indicating channel 154. Further, the light mayvertically pass through a central portion of the second diffusingsurface 196 b. The light may then be incident to the central portion ofthe indicating channel 154.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are perspective views illustratingprocesses for combining the portable SSD module in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 16, the SSD 120 may be combined with the main bracket160. Additionally, the thermal pad 168 may be interposed between the SSD120 and the main bracket 160.

Referring to FIG. 17, the PCB 130 with the fingerprint sensor 140 andthe LED module 150 may be inserted into the case 110 through the openedfront surface 111 of the case 110 in the second direction. The PCB 130may be attached to the upper surface 113 of the case 110 around thewindow 116 using the adhesive 134. The fingerprint sensor 140 and theLED module 150, particularly, the indicating channel 154 may be exposedthrough the window 116. Additionally, the cushion 136 may be interposedbetween the PCB 130 and the upper surface 113 of the case 110.

Referring to FIG. 18, the main bracket 160 with the SSD 120 may beinserted into the case 110 through the opened rear surface 112 of thecase 110 in the first direction. The inclined surfaces of the ribs 176may slidably make contact with the lower surface of the PCB 130 duringinserting the main bracket 160 into the case 110.

The PCB 130 may be received in the receiving groove 178 of the mainbracket 160. The both side surfaces of the PCB 130 in the receivinggroove 178 may be supported by the horizontal supporting portions 164.The rear surface of the PCB 130 in the receiving groove 178 may besupported by the upper portion of the front surface of the body portion162 in the main bracket 160. The lower surface of the PCB 130 in thereceiving groove 178 may be supported by the vertical supporting portion170. Particularly, the central supporting portion 172 of the verticalsupporting portion 170 may be configured to support a central portion ofthe lower surface of the PCB 130. The edge supporting portions 174 ofthe vertical supporting portion 170 may be configured to support edgeportions of the lower surface of the PCB 130.

Referring to FIG. 19, the front bracket 180 may be inserted into thecase 110 through the opened front surface 111 of the case 110 in thesecond direction. The front bracket 180 may downwardly press theconnectors to support the connectors.

Referring to FIG. 20, the sheets 166 and 168 may be attached to the rearsurface of the main bracket 160 and the front surface of the frontbracket 180 to complete the portable SSD module 100 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments, and FIG. 22 is across-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the portableSSD module in FIG. 21.

A portable SSD module 100 a of this example embodiment may includeelements substantially the same as those of the portable SSD module 100in FIG. 1 except for a main bracket, a front bracket and an indicator.Thus, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements and anyfurther illustrations with respect to the same elements may be omittedherein for brevity.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the LED may be installed at the SSD 120.Thus, the portable SSD module 100 a of this example embodiment may notinclude a PCB for driving the fingerprint sensor 140. Further, thefingerprint sensor 140 and the indicator 153 of the LED module 150 maybe inserted into the case 110 through an upper surface of the window116.

The indicator 153 may be supported by a front bracket 180 a.Particularly, an indicating plate 152 a may include a supporting groove151. The front bracket 180 a may include a supporting portion 186inserted into the supporting groove 151. In contrast, a main bracket 160a may be configured to directly support the indicator 153. In order toexpose the LED on the SSD 120, the main bracket 160 a may have anopening 169.

In some example embodiments, the supporting groove 151 may be formed atboth side surfaces of the indicating plate 152 a in the seconddirection. The supporting portion 186 may be extended from both sideportions of a rear surface of the front bracket 180 a. The supportingportions 186 may be inserted into the supporting grooves 151,respectively, to support the indicator 153 by the front bracket 180 a.

FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are perspective views illustratingprocesses for combining the portable SSD module in FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 23, the SSD 120 may be combined with the main bracket160. The LED may be installed at the SSD 120. Additionally, the thermalpad 168 may be interposed between the SSD 120 and the main bracket 160a.

Referring to FIG. 24, the main bracket 160 a with the SSD 120 may beinserted into the case 110 through the opened rear surface 112 of thecase 110 in the first direction. The LED on the SSD 120 may be exposedthrough the opening 169 of the main bracket 160 a.

Referring to FIG. 25, the fingerprint sensor 140 may be inserted intothe case 110 through the window 116.

Referring to FIG. 26, the indicator 153 of the LED module 150 may beinserted into the case 110 through the window 116. The fingerprintsensor 140 may be positioned in the opening 153-0 of the indicator 153.

Referring to FIG. 27, the front bracket 180 a may be inserted into thecase 110 through the opened front surface 111 of the case 110 in thesecond direction. The supporting portions 186 of the front bracket 180 amay be inserted into the supporting grooves 151 of the indicator 153.

Referring to FIG. 28, the sheets 166 and 168 may be attached to the rearsurface of the main bracket 160 a and the front surface of the frontbracket 180 a to complete the portable SSD module 100 a in FIG. 21.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable SSDmodule in accordance with some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 29, a portable SSD module 100 b of some exampleembodiments may include a case 110, an SSD 120, a main bracket 160 and afront bracket 180. That is, the portable SSD module 100 b of thisexample embodiment may not include the fingerprint sensor 140 and theLED module 150 in the portable SSD module 100 of FIG. 1. This, becauseit may not be required to expose the fingerprint sensor 140 and the LEDmodule 150 through the window 116 in FIG. 1, the case 110 may not havethe window 116 in FIG. 1.

The case 110, the SSD 120, the main bracket 160 and the front bracket180 may have structures substantially the same as those in FIG. 1. Thus,any further illustrations with respect to the case 110, the SSD 120, themain bracket 160 and the front bracket 180 may be omitted herein forbrevity.

The main bracket 160 may be arranged in the case 110 to support the SSD120. Particularly, the rib 176 of the main bracket 160 may slidably makecontact with the upper surface of the case 110. The front bracket 180may be arranged in the case 110 to support the connectors 122 and 124extended from the SSD1 120.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portable SSD module inaccordance with some example embodiments, and FIG. 31 is an enlargedcross-sectional view illustrating a portion “A” in FIG. 30.

A portable SSD module 100 c of this example embodiment may includeelements substantially the same as those of the portable SSD module 100in FIG. 1 except for an indicator of an LED module. Thus, the samereference numerals may refer to the same elements and any furtherillustrations with respect to the same elements may be omitted hereinfor brevity.

Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, an indicator 153 of this exampleembodiment may include an indicating plate 152 and an indicating channel154 c. The indicating plate 152 may have a structure substantially thesame as that of the indicating plate 152 in FIG. 1. Thus, any furtherillustrations with respect to the indicating plate 152 may be omittedherein for brevity.

The indicating channel 154 c may be configured to enter through thewindow 116 between the case 110 and the fingerprint sensor 140. In orderto accurately align the indicator 153 and the fingerprint sensor 140with a center of the window 116 when assembling the indicator 153 andthe fingerprint sensor 140 with the window 116, the indicating channel154 c may have a gradient shape.

Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 30-31, the indicating channel 154 c mayhave the gradient shape from a lower portion to an upper portion of theindicating channel 154 c toward the center of the window 116, such thatan outer boundary of the lower portion 154L of the indicating channel154 may be distal (1540BL) from the central portion (e.g., center 152-C)of the indicating plate 152 in relation to the outer boundary of theupper portion 154U of the indicating channel 154 (1540BU). Similarly, asshown in FIG. 31, when the indicating channel 154 c has a gradientshape. from a lower portion to an upper portion of the indicatingchannel 154 c toward the center of the window 116, an inner boundary ofthe lower portion 154L of the indicating channel 154 may be distal fromthe central portion (e.g., center 152-C) of the indicating plate 152 inrelation to the inner boundary of the upper portion 154U of theindicating channel 154. In some example embodiments, a gradient angle154G of the indicating channel 154 c that results in the indicatingchannel 154 c having the gradient shape may be about 3° to about 3.5°.Thus, an upper portion of an inner surface of the indicating channel 154c having the gradient shape may be configured to make contact with anupper portion of an outer surface of the fingerprint sensor 140.Further, a lower portion of an outer surface of the indicating channel154 c may be configured to make contact with a lower portion of theupper surface 113 of the case 110. Because the fingerprint sensor 140and the case may support the upper portion of the inner surface and thelower portion of the outer surface of the indicating channel 154 c, theindicator 153 and the fingerprint sensor 140 may be accurately alignedwith the center of the window 116.

In some example embodiments, the LED modules 150, 150 a and 150 b may beapplied to the portable SSD modules having the above-mentionedstructures. However, the LED modules 150, 150 a and 150 b may also beapplied to the portable SSD modules having other structures. Further,the LED modules 150, 150 a and 150 b may be applied to other electronicdevices requiring an emitting function in place of the portable SSDmodules.

According to some example embodiments, the main bracket may beconfigured to support the LED module. Particularly, the slant rib of themain bracket inserted into the rear surface of the case may slidablymake contact with the lower surface of the LED module. Thus, the LEDmodule may be readily and firmly combined with the case.

Further, the indicator of the LED module may have the triangulardiffusing groove so that the light from the LED may uniformly diffusetoward the whole indicator through the diffusing groove. Particularly,the light may diffuse toward a corner of the indicator. As a result, theindicator may have uniform brightness.

The foregoing is illustrative of some example embodiments and is not tobe construed as limiting thereof. Although some example embodiments havebeen described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in the example embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thepresent inventive concepts. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present inventiveconcepts as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-functionclauses are intended to cover the structures described herein asperforming the recited function and not only structural equivalents butalso equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that theforegoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is not tobe construed as limited to the specific example embodiments disclosed,and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments, as well asother example embodiments, are intended to be included within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable solid state drive (SSD) module,comprising: an light emission diode (LED) module including an LED, anindicating plate and an indicating channel arranged at a central portionof the indicating plate; a fingerprint sensor; and a solid state drive(SSD) electrically connected with the LED module and the fingerprintsensor, wherein the LED module is configured to emit a light thatindicates an operation of the SSD, wherein the indicating channel isarranged along an inner surface of the indicating plate, and wherein theinner surface of the indicating plate defines an opening that receivesthe fingerprint sensor.
 2. The portable SSD module of claim 1, whereinthe fingerprint sensor is configured to recognize a fingerprint of auser to provide a security of the SSD.
 3. The portable SSD module ofclaim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is combined with the LED module.4. The portable SSD module of claim 3, wherein the fingerprint sensor isreceived in a central portion of the LED module.
 5. The portable SSDmodule of claim 1, further comprising: a case including a window formedthrough an upper surface of the case, wherein the LED module and thefingerprint sensor are exposed through the window.
 6. The portable SSDmodule of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) onwhich the fingerprint sensor is mounted.
 7. The portable SSD module ofclaim 1, wherein the indicating plate has a rectangular shape or asquare shape.
 8. The portable SSD module of claim 1, wherein theindicating plate includes a groove that receives the light emissiondiode (LED).
 9. The portable SSD module of claim 8, wherein the groovehas a triangular shape.
 10. The portable SSD module of claim 8, whereinthe groove has an isosceles trapezoidal shape.
 11. A portable SSDmodule, comprising: an light emission diode (LED) module including aplurality of LEDs, an indicating plate and an indicating channelarranged at a central portion of the indicating plate; a fingerprintsensor; and a solid state drive (SSD) electrically connected with theLED module and the fingerprint sensor, wherein the LED module isconfigured to emit a light that indicates an operation of the SSD,wherein the indicating channel is arranged along an inner surface of theindicating plate, wherein the inner surface of the indicating platedefines an opening that receives the fingerprint sensor, and wherein theindicating plate includes a plurality of grooves, each of the pluralityof grooves receiving one of the plurality of LEDs.
 12. The portable SSDmodule of claim 11, wherein the LED module includes four LEDs, theindicating plate includes four grooves, and each of the four groovesreceives one of the four LEDs.
 13. The portable SSD module of claim 12,wherein the indicating plate has a rectangular shape or a square shape,and each of four sides of the indicating plate has a groove thatreceives one of the four LEDs.
 14. The portable SSD module of claim 11,wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to recognize a fingerprintof a user to provide a security of the SSD.
 15. The portable SSD moduleof claim 11, further comprising: a case including a window formedthrough an upper surface of the case; and a printed circuit board (PCB)on which the fingerprint sensor is mounted, wherein the LED module andthe fingerprint sensor are exposed through the window.
 16. The portableSSD module of claim 11, wherein the fingerprint sensor is received in acentral portion of the LED module.
 17. The portable SSD module of claim11, wherein the plurality of LEDs include a first LED, a second LED, athird LED and a fourth LED, the indicating plate includes a firstportion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion, thefirst portion of the indicating plate is connected to the second portionof the indicating plate and the fourth portion of the indicating plate,and faces the third portion of the indicating plate, the opening of theinner surface of the indicating plate is disposed between the firstportion of the indicating plate and the fourth portion of the indicatingplate, and between the second portion of the indicating plate and thefourth portion of the indicating plate, the plurality of grooves includea first groove at the first portion of the indicating plate, a secondgroove at the second portion of the indicating plate, a third groove atthe third portion of the indicating plate and a fourth groove at thefourth portion of the indicating plate, and the first groove receivesthe first LED, the second groove receives the second LED, the thirdgroove receives the third LED and the fourth groove receives the fourthLED.
 18. A portable SSD module, comprising: an light emission diode(LED) module including a first LED, a second LED, a third LED, a fourthLED, an indicating plate and an indicating channel arranged at a centralportion of the indicating plate; a fingerprint sensor; and a solid statedrive (SSD) electrically connected with the LED module and thefingerprint sensor, wherein the LED module is configured to emit a lightthat indicates an operation of the SSD, wherein the indicating channelis arranged along an inner surface of the indicating plate, wherein theinner surface of the indicating plate defines an opening that receivesthe fingerprint sensor, wherein the indicating plate includes a firstportion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion, whereinthe first portion of the indicating plate is connected to the secondportion of the indicating plate and the fourth portion of the indicatingplate, and faces the third portion of the indicating plate, wherein theopening of the inner surface of the indicating plate is disposed betweenthe first portion of the indicating plate and the fourth portion of theindicating plate, and between the second portion of the indicating plateand the fourth portion of the indicating plate, wherein the firstportion of the indicating plate includes a first groove that receivesthe first LED, wherein the second portion of the indicating plateincludes a second groove that receives the second LED, wherein the thirdportion of the indicating plate includes a third groove that receivesthe third LED, and wherein the fourth portion of the indicating plateincludes a fourth groove that receives the fourth LED.
 19. The portableSSD module of claim 18, wherein the first groove has a triangular shape.20. The portable SSD module of claim 18, wherein the first groove has atrapezoid shape.